Advances in simulation (London, England)
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Why is this important?
Most simulation research focuses on skills and knowledge (the easiest factors to measure), even though:
- It is clinical outcomes that primarily matter, and;
- Simulation is uniquely positioned to address improvements in the many domains of teamwork.
Brazil et al. applied a relational coordination (RC) framework to understand teamwork-aspects of simulation research, particularly as these impact wider institutional and healthcare system performance.
“The RC framework — shared knowledge, shared goals and mutual respect in the context of communication that is timely, accurate, frequent and problem-solving based — can provide a common language for simulation educators to design and debrief simulation exercises that aim to have a translational impact” (Brazil et al. 2019)
What did they do?
The researchers undertook a narrative survey of staff involved in early major trauma care at a university teaching hospital. Over half of the respondents had participated in the institution’s existing in situ trauma simulation program.
Survey responses were analysed using the RC framework, and found to be consistent with each RC domain. Most notably trauma simulation acted as an enabler of mutual respect and improved communication, along with enhancing the understanding of team roles and prioritising problem-solving focused communication.
The take-home
The impact of simulation needs to be understood in the context of the greater goal – healthcare system improvement – and that this occurs with pre-existing organisational cultures and relationships. Simulation outcomes goals are not exclusive to small teams or individual performance.
The various domains within the relational coordination framework provide an easy to use guide for understanding, communicating and deploying simulation benefits, drawing a path from the ‘here’ to the ‘there’ of improved outcomes.
summary“Simulation should be considered as a tool to build and strengthen relationships between practitioners across traditional boundaries.”